Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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wait is that just the thesis of the entire webcomic joyce's spouting, are we being that on the nose
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July 11, 2026

About change

by David M Willis on April 1, 2024 at 12:01 am
  • 03 – Trystin' in the Wind
└ Tags: dorothy, joyce

Discussion (239) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    April 1, 2024 at 12:01 am | #

    there’s also streaking!

    *Joyce literally dies of embarrassment*

    *funeral is held in Galasso’s*

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      April 1, 2024 at 12:05 am | #

      Isn’t it still winter in Indiana?

      She’d better streak fast, because if the embarrassment doesn’t catch up with her, the hypothermia will be right on its heels.

      • Decidedly Orthogonal
        Decidedly Orthogonal
        April 1, 2024 at 12:27 am | #

        Depends. If she’s streaking with the wind, she can cut down on windchill, but if going against it, she’ll increase windchill. There’s likely a function we can derive for her ideal velocity in relation to wind speed, direction, and the course she intends to follow, to compute if she should be streaking fast or slow. Also, velociraptors.

        • GholaHalleck
          GholaHalleck
          April 1, 2024 at 12:47 am | #

          But will she be able to run while holding her coconuts?

          • Soncnikralj
            Soncnikralj
            April 1, 2024 at 2:47 am | #

            Sure, she could grip them by the husk!

            • Roborat
              Roborat
              April 1, 2024 at 3:33 pm | #

              As long as she is not migrating.

      • Ryan
        Ryan
        April 1, 2024 at 12:49 am | #

        Streaking at my college in Upstate New York was always done when there was snow on the ground. Hats and scarves were admissible.

        • morleuca
          morleuca
          April 1, 2024 at 5:22 am | #

          Living in an upstate new york college town, the sight of naked college kids getting thrown into snow banks by their friends was always surreal.

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        April 1, 2024 at 1:25 am | #

        she can escape the hypothermia
        by utilizing the hypoteneuse
        … or what’s a college _for_?

        • Proxiehunter
          Proxiehunter
          April 1, 2024 at 3:10 am | #

          For pooping silly. No, wait, that’s a buttfor.

          • David DeLaney
            David DeLaney
            April 1, 2024 at 7:39 pm | #

            proving once again
            the utility of the concept
            of butttaco

      • VicMortimer
        VicMortimer
        April 1, 2024 at 10:09 am | #

        It’s interesting that there seems to always be snow outside. I drove through Indiana in February this year, there wasn’t any. I’m guessing it’s still January in comic time, but I’m thinking that should be melting soon.

        Meanwhile where I am it’s April 1 and it’s going to be almost 80 today. Ugh.

        • ktbear
          ktbear
          April 1, 2024 at 12:14 pm | #

          Just for a moment I thought you meant 80 celcius, then I remembered who I was talking to.

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      April 1, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

      She shall be but the first of many bodies which shall form the foundation Galasso’s undying empire (of family-friendly restaurants).

    • staszu13
      staszu13
      April 1, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

      Fools! We are here at Galasso’s Pizza (and subs, and funeral home) to pay respects to your wretched classmate, who left this earth too soon. Enjoy the catering, while you can!

    • Dang Fool
      Dang Fool
      April 1, 2024 at 9:40 am | #

      My time at that other Indiana University, Purdue, included the Nude Olympics, which was basically a crowd streak on the coolest night of the year.

  2. Grimey
    Grimey
    April 1, 2024 at 12:02 am | #

    Panel 4 looks so heartfelt that even Dorothy is surprised.

  3. IntangibleMatter
    IntangibleMatter
    April 1, 2024 at 12:02 am | #

    Joyce is summing up a large portion of my social actions over the past several years and I’m unsure of how to feel about it.

    On an unrelated note I was assessed for autism last week

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      April 1, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

      I am guessing that was not a fun test.

      On another unrelated note, I really like your cube icon. What exactly is it?

      • IntangibleMatter
        IntangibleMatter
        April 1, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

        Eh, it was more bizzare than anything. “tell me a story based on five random objects,” “what are some things people do that annoy you,” “what’s going on in this picture book?” No idea how it went honestly.

        And thank you! it’s a logo I designed for myself initial in sixth grade, then revamped in 10th grade. It’s vaguely supposed to be
        1. a planet in the top with a sign
        2. a bunch of binary that doesn’t actually mean anything on the left
        3. recursive cubes on the right

        • True Survivor
          True Survivor
          April 1, 2024 at 10:50 pm | #

          That is cool. I especially like the idea of it being fractal in nature (I think that term applies, anyway). Thanks for sharing.

    • Amós Batista
      Amós Batista
      April 1, 2024 at 4:01 am | #

      Welcome aboard. *hugs* You’re sure everthing will be better after your diagnosis.

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      April 1, 2024 at 7:39 pm | #

      so did they tell you whether you passed or failed?

  4. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    April 1, 2024 at 12:03 am | #

    Sooooo……monogamy is the only thing stopping Joyce from banging Dorothy?

    • IntangibleMatter
      IntangibleMatter
      April 1, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

      Chat DYW, is this real? Dorothy/Joyce slipshine to come?

    • Proxiehunter
      Proxiehunter
      April 1, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

      According to this strip it’s the only thing stopping her from having an orgy that Dorothy is part of.

      • cbwroses
        cbwroses
        April 1, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

        Yeah. Being part of the same orgy doesn’t mean they would be involved with each other. They could simply encourage each other, maybe even hold hands like they did in the laundry room.

        • Sajuuk-Khar
          Sajuuk-Khar
          April 1, 2024 at 12:32 am | #

          I mean being real I think if Walky was invited to the orgy, Joyce wouldn’t be cool with it anymore, he’s too annoying.

          • GholaHalleck
            GholaHalleck
            April 1, 2024 at 12:49 am | #

            The realization that she had sex with Walky via proxy would be hilarious though.

            Even though we already debunked that one.

        • Sirksome
          Sirksome
          April 1, 2024 at 12:35 am | #

          I don’t know somehow that scenario seems even gayer than if they fucked.

          • Sajuuk-Khar
            Sajuuk-Khar
            April 1, 2024 at 12:42 am | #

            They’re knee-deep in gay already, might as well lean in

            • GholaHalleck
              GholaHalleck
              April 1, 2024 at 12:49 am | #

              In the bisexual.

            • Proxiehunter
              Proxiehunter
              April 1, 2024 at 3:12 am | #

              And possibly wind up elbow deep in gay.

        • David DeLaney
          David DeLaney
          April 1, 2024 at 1:26 am | #

          sweetest orgy pix EVAR

      • Colineo
        Colineo
        April 1, 2024 at 5:47 am | #

        Becky/Dina/Joyce/Dorothy would somehow be the most wholesome orgy in history.

        • Mewzard
          Mewzard
          April 1, 2024 at 3:26 pm | #

          Dorothy tries to set it up in the most high detail planned way possible, Becky suggests just going with the flow, Dina starts trying to augment both suggestions based on mating rituals and social behaviors she had studied for the occasion, and Joyce simply asks if they can start by all four holding hands on top of the machines in the Laundry Room, leading Becky to ask about that oddly specific suggestion.

          Both Joyce and Dorothy avoid looking directly into Becky’s eyes.

    • Sajuuk-Khar
      Sajuuk-Khar
      April 1, 2024 at 12:16 am | #

      I mean we just saw Dorothy’s bubble butt, now someone gotta break it in

    • Rose by Any Other Name
      Rose by Any Other Name
      April 1, 2024 at 12:20 am | #

      There is no other way to take this.
      HEY JOE! Get the frick over here and give Joyce your consent for her to participate in an orgy or lesbian sex if she wishes.

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      April 1, 2024 at 12:48 am | #

      There’s Dorothy’s heterosexuality.

      • GholaHalleck
        GholaHalleck
        April 1, 2024 at 12:51 am | #

        I want to make a joke but I”ll get eviscerated if I say it…

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        April 1, 2024 at 1:27 am | #

        Where? (“Where Dorothy heterosexuality?”)

      • clif
        clif
        April 1, 2024 at 1:51 am | #

        Looking at Dorothy’s face in the last panel, she’s completely aware of the subtext.

      • Rabbit
        Rabbit
        April 1, 2024 at 2:10 am | #

        Like. Joyce has always given me baby bi or at least bi-curious vibes.

        Dorothy has never read as anything but a straight girl and a decent ally to me. It’s bewildering that people read her as into Joyce- especially in the same comment sections pointing out she’s basically just mom-friending Joyce in a lot of those same strips.

        Even the ‘ha-ha they’re mistaken as a lesbian couple’ strip didn’t change my opinion on how Dotty reads- just Joyce.

        • Sirksome
          Sirksome
          April 1, 2024 at 7:41 am | #

          Honestly it’s more like a cute joke to me at this point to ship them mainly because these moments keep happening. Even though I think Joyce is at least questioning by now, shes’s so repressed I don’t think she’ll realize she might like girls until her mid thirties likely already happily married to some great guy. Dorothy of course has stated she’s straight and I respect that, I really do think Joyce would be the exception. The masturbation lesson kind of solidified that more to me even if it’s not a sexual attraction in nature. She dreams about Joyce while not wearing pants, has moments of jealousy over her affection much like Becky, and even have a casual level of skin-ship well beyond most friendship levels. There’s something there beyond being the mom friend even if she doesn’t realize it. But I do also just find it cute.

      • Proxiehunter
        Proxiehunter
        April 1, 2024 at 3:14 am | #

        Dorothy’s what now?

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        April 1, 2024 at 4:08 am | #

        That’s not something that matters.

    • V
      V
      April 1, 2024 at 2:41 am | #

      Hmm… what are the betting odds on this night ending with drunk Joyce and Dorothy asking Joe for a threesome? I know Dorothy hates Joe right now but hate is an attractive force, I suspect especially when you’re drunk.

      • Svankensen
        Svankensen
        April 1, 2024 at 9:46 am | #

        That would hurt Joe so much, the girls better not do it,

      • Yak
        Yak
        April 1, 2024 at 3:41 pm | #

        I give 10:1 odds against. And if it happened, Joe’s mind would start spinning so fast he’d probably have a seizure.

  5. Blume
    Blume
    April 1, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    I love Joyce 🙂 this is sweet

  6. Puppeteer Nessus
    Puppeteer Nessus
    April 1, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    Go Joyce Go!

  7. Nono
    Nono
    April 1, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    To be fair, Joyce has already gone through most of the other ‘college things’ already. Subverting authority, crisis of faith, kissed a girl…

    • ian livs
      ian livs
      April 1, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

      I mean, if we’re being technical, she hasn’t kissed a girl (yet? unclear)–she was kissed *by* a girl without her permission. Slight difference

      • Decidedly Orthogonal
        Decidedly Orthogonal
        April 1, 2024 at 12:29 am | #

        But did she like it?

        • anonymsly
          anonymsly
          April 1, 2024 at 7:28 am | #

          Not enough to ever repeat or initiate it since, so… that’s a no.

      • Ana Chronistic
        Ana Chronistic
        April 1, 2024 at 11:48 pm | #

        but JOYCE SAID she did!

  8. C.T. Phipps
    C.T. Phipps
    April 1, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

    Dorothy: No, Joyce! You have to be the fragile young girl I protect from the world! I don’t have anything else!

  9. Taigan
    Taigan
    April 1, 2024 at 12:07 am | #

    Having a lesbian fling is much more “a college” than an orgy.

    Just sayin’.

    • GholaHalleck
      GholaHalleck
      April 1, 2024 at 12:52 am | #

      perfect avatar for this one.

      • LaGrosseLegume
        LaGrosseLegume
        April 1, 2024 at 1:11 am | #

        It’s the funniest comment for today. Period.

      • Thomas
        Thomas
        April 1, 2024 at 1:13 am | #

        …and that makes three of us.

        • LaGrosseLegume
          LaGrosseLegume
          April 2, 2024 at 1:04 am | #

          Hello there for all members of Trinity

          • Thomas
            Thomas
            April 2, 2024 at 2:52 pm | #

            The joke being that all three avatars represent women loving women. Only we two posted at the same time. So now there’s four of us.

  10. Jo_cubstar
    Jo_cubstar
    April 1, 2024 at 12:07 am | #

    Oh, Joyce, this is precious

  11. Tan
    Tan
    April 1, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

    Dumbing of Age Book 14: Now Let’s Go Commit Something Mildly Subversive Whic-… Waaaaaaiiiiit a minute….

  12. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    April 1, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

    I really do love these two.

  13. Derek
    Derek
    April 1, 2024 at 12:09 am | #

    I hate it when characters lean on the fourth wall, who the heck talks about humanizing themselves by doing mildly transgressive things?
    it would be more natural to say “this will be a funny story to tell in the future”

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      April 1, 2024 at 12:11 am | #

      Joyce is quoting an earlier line from Dorothy, who was talking about it being a humanizing anecdote when she’s running for office in the future.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        April 1, 2024 at 12:26 am | #

        Yeah, it was even the title of Book 9.

        • MacareuxMoine
          MacareuxMoine
          April 2, 2024 at 8:40 am | #

          Which made it very easy for Willis to remember/find the exact quote.
          (I turned around to my bookshelf to verify its exactness)

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      April 1, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

      I hate it when characters

      • Sajuuk-Khar
        Sajuuk-Khar
        April 1, 2024 at 12:16 am | #

        I hate

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          April 1, 2024 at 2:14 am | #

          I

          • eh, whatever
            eh, whatever
            April 1, 2024 at 3:57 am | #

            I hate, therefore I am?
            Odi, ergo sum?

            • Aura
              Aura
              April 1, 2024 at 7:40 pm | #

              I hate, therefore I am a webcomic commenter

      • Mturtle7
        Mturtle7
        April 1, 2024 at 11:34 am | #

        When characters hate it I

    • Armadillo
      Armadillo
      April 1, 2024 at 12:21 am | #

      I do this kind of shit all the time, honestly. But I’m a writer so weird meta commentary on my own life is something I’m obligated to do.

      • clif
        clif
        April 1, 2024 at 1:54 am | #

        I mean, who doesn’t narrate their own life out loud when no one’s around?

    • Xujhan
      Xujhan
      April 1, 2024 at 12:29 am | #

      I do. By using language whose connotations or level of formality are ill-suited to the present topic, or which is in some other way noticeably incorrect while still being clearly understandable, a comedy is produced.

      • Plain Marie
        Plain Marie
        April 1, 2024 at 6:10 am | #

        I too have found/created humor with my level of language formality mismatched to the context. Mismatched register if you will. It’s amusing. Did I hear someone say this was not funny? ?? Maybe I just entertain myself. But I’m pleased to hear that it’s a ND thing.

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        April 1, 2024 at 7:42 pm | #

        like, yo, man – ebonics be SAVED!!

        –Dave, in life it hath found a purpose finally

    • Vukodlak
      Vukodlak
      April 1, 2024 at 12:42 am | #

      Have you meet Joyce? It was perfectly in-character.

    • Jerach
      Jerach
      April 1, 2024 at 2:05 am | #

      This feels entirely natural for Joyce to say and honestly I really like seeing characters speak in this manner as somebody who’s autistic. I legit feel “seen” with this kind of dialogue.

      • Plain Marie
        Plain Marie
        April 1, 2024 at 6:12 am | #

        Interesting. I also feel seen, but I hadn’t realized that most people *didn’t* use mismatched register for humorous effect. Huh.

    • Hrodvitnir
      Hrodvitnir
      April 1, 2024 at 2:21 am | #

      Nthing talking exactly this oddly, and yeah it hit zero discordant notes as a line from Joyce personally.

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      April 1, 2024 at 10:19 am | #

      I just wish some folks had a better grasp on what the fourth wall is

      • Mturtle7
        Mturtle7
        April 1, 2024 at 11:36 am | #

        Damn you Willis, stop breaking the fourth wall by commenting on your own comic! What will you do next?! WRITE the comic?!? All this meta cr*p is getting out of control…

      • clif
        clif
        April 1, 2024 at 11:28 pm | #

        Optional? Metaphorical? Imaginary? Transdimensional? The fifth wall out of order?

        Am I getting closer?

        • Li
          Li
          April 3, 2024 at 8:08 pm | #

          I think Willis’s complaint is that a LOT of people seem to think that any instance of a character saying something they wouldn’t personally say is breaking the fourth wall.

  14. BBCC
    BBCC
    April 1, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

    Yeah, orgy vs booze isn’t the broadest choice.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      April 1, 2024 at 12:46 am | #

      she forgot about arson

      • clif
        clif
        April 1, 2024 at 1:56 am | #

        Wait. Arson is part of the college experience? Where did you go to college? (Or not go as the case may be.)

        • morleuca
          morleuca
          April 1, 2024 at 5:28 am | #

          Norwich in VT. Dumpsters get set on fire every year around graduation.

          • morleuca
            morleuca
            April 1, 2024 at 5:42 am | #

            I didn’t go to Norwich, but my uncle worked in the physics dept and one of my cousins sis go there

        • Tesset
          Tesset
          April 1, 2024 at 9:39 pm | #

          The University College of Gävle

    • GholaHalleck
      GholaHalleck
      April 1, 2024 at 12:53 am | #

      Depending on the type of orgy you go too, you might find more broads then in a bar.

  15. Sajuuk-Khar
    Sajuuk-Khar
    April 1, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

    You know, Joyce, orgies can be mildly subversive and deeply humanizing incidents! Plus I think Joe would be cool with polyamory!

    You know, once you get polyamory fully explained to you by Sierra. While hyperventilating into a bag and psyching yourself up for a threesome. Several weeks before even broaching the idea of a threesome.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      April 1, 2024 at 12:22 am | #

      Sierra might even explain that polyamory is not a synonym for group sex.

      • milu
        milu
        April 1, 2024 at 10:52 am | #

        Seems like a good place to repost this all-but-canon, barely NSFW Gray-mand-ierra dialogue

        • Felian
          Felian
          April 1, 2024 at 6:59 pm | #

          that is super cute 🙂

    • Sajuuk-Khar
      Sajuuk-Khar
      April 1, 2024 at 12:31 am | #

      Well, yeah, absolutely. The orgy and the “hey Joe I would like to also bite Dorothy on the heinie I think” being separate but related factors.

      • Throwatron
        Throwatron
        April 1, 2024 at 1:04 am | #

        “Um, yeah, that’s a normal response,” replies Joe

    • Nymph
      Nymph
      April 1, 2024 at 3:10 am | #

      ~polyamory doesn’t mean threesomes~

      • Roborat
        Roborat
        April 1, 2024 at 3:37 pm | #

        Polyamory doesn’t ~necessarily~ mean threesomes.

        • David DeLaney
          David DeLaney
          April 1, 2024 at 7:44 pm | #

          ~threesomes don’t mean polyamory~

          –Dave, sometimes there’s just nowhere else to go on a Friday night

        • Li
          Li
          April 2, 2024 at 11:26 am | #

          This.

          Being bisexual also doesn’t necessarily mean threesomes, but shippers who say “this character is bi and has two hands” aren’t making a sweeping statement about bi people OR polyamorous people. They’re making a specific statement about that specific character and how much they want that character to make out with more than one other character at the same time.

          It’s not a stereotype it’s just shipping.

    • cain
      cain
      April 3, 2024 at 7:18 am | #

      I actually don’t think Joe would be cool with polyamory. I think he would try to be cool with it for Joyce but ultimately he would feel neglected and hurt.

      However I do think he has thought about this threesome before.

  16. Moon
    Moon
    April 1, 2024 at 12:11 am | #

    still re-reading

    https://www.dumbingofage.com/2019/comic/book-10/01-birthday-pursuit/ding/

    i love harrison he was so cute lol bring him back

    • AbacusWizard
      AbacusWizard
      April 1, 2024 at 1:25 am | #

      bebeh!

  17. staszu13
    staszu13
    April 1, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

    They have orgies in college?

    God I really missed out

    • Sajuuk-Khar
      Sajuuk-Khar
      April 1, 2024 at 12:17 am | #

      They call them “toga parties” to confuse you

    • Bittersweet
      Bittersweet
      April 1, 2024 at 12:45 am | #

      It’s the natural end state of “Truth or Dare”

    • Jeff K!
      Jeff K!
      April 1, 2024 at 1:01 am | #

      Yet another reason I’m furious at having gone to BYU.
      You’d get kicked out of school for such behavior.

  18. Dara
    Dara
    April 1, 2024 at 12:13 am | #

    When Joyce finally proposes to Dorothy, it’s gonna sound a lot like Panel 3, and I hope I live to see it. xD

  19. Hazel
    Hazel
    April 1, 2024 at 12:14 am | #

    My hopes are high, yet my expectations are low.

    • clif
      clif
      April 1, 2024 at 1:58 am | #

      if Dorothy was accurate in the last panel, then I’m certainly disappointed.

    • anon
      anon
      April 1, 2024 at 11:25 pm | #

      it’d prolly be throwing too much at it as well, but be interesting if it’s like “where are we gonna get the alcohol?” “oh i’ll just ask my older brother i’ve been putting off talking to him” and then they can have a heart to heart buzzed convo about her sibling coming out as trans (but realistically that storyline might take a while to get to assuming joceylene comes back in the pic anytime soon)

  20. cbwroses
    cbwroses
    April 1, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

    I really like that scene of them running down the hall. The art itself looks good and they as characters are looking good.

    • Vanessa
      Vanessa
      April 1, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

      Yes, there is really good energy. The next panel looks cool too, interesting grab and lean. The art is looking great.

  21. Taffy
    Taffy
    April 1, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

    I’ve never been to an actual IRL orgy, but if they’re anything like the ERP parties in Final Fantasy XIV, I’m not missing much.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      April 1, 2024 at 12:17 am | #

      (ERP stands for Elloquintly Ritten Porn (because nobody can fucking type))

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      April 1, 2024 at 12:59 am | #

      Orgies aren’t generally the best sex, but they’re human contact with lowered inhibitions. Worth it, in my book, at least a few times in your life.

      • Dara
        Dara
        April 1, 2024 at 10:32 pm | #

        Yes, this, and agreed.

    • Masumi
      Masumi
      April 1, 2024 at 2:30 am | #

      I have, just once. Just so happened to be in the vicinity of a group climbing into a tent, got invited, and was like “waiiiiiit, that’s actually a thing irl people just randomly do? Guess I’ll have to find out what that’s like, you know, for science”

      … It was okay. Mostly interesting for the unusualness.

    • Lysbeth
      Lysbeth
      April 1, 2024 at 4:15 pm | #

      Dunno, sounds like the kind of thing you’d like to try at least once, ’cause if there’s something that’s more “cutting loose and having fun” than being in a group of people being uninhibited about the most policed behaviour in society, I haven’t heard of it.
      At least if you don’t panic when touched. I talk a big game about the theory of it, but I’m not doing anything myself until I get past that particular hurdle, neurodiversity be damned.

  22. sdrainbow
    sdrainbow
    April 1, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

    Don’t love this “not safe for you” energy unless it results in a Realization of how that energy is MISDIRECTED ROMANTIC FEELINGS

    • Hrodvitnir
      Hrodvitnir
      April 1, 2024 at 2:23 am | #

      Yes. Experimenting with [triggers] in situations under your own control is a great thing to do when you’re ready.

    • CommentSpawn
      CommentSpawn
      April 1, 2024 at 4:56 pm | #

      Yeah, it’s pretty shitty to suggest Joyce is especially vulnerable to being assaulted because she was previously drugged while drinking Sierra Mist.

  23. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    April 1, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

    I guess it’s from Dorothy’s blaming herself for everything bad that’s happened, but I still don’t like how she’s talking down to Joyce in panel 1. It’s her treating Joyce like a project, distilled.

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      April 1, 2024 at 12:26 am | #

      Yes, we must admit that although Dorothy is not bad, she has this habit of seeing people as projects, although I dare say that this could be the opportunity for her to see it from a new angle.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        April 1, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

        I hope Joyce isn’t saying anything about it because she’s trying to get Dorothy to open up about what’s on her mind. Because it would make me feel like this: https://www.dumbingofage.com/coat/

        • Coatl
          Coatl
          April 1, 2024 at 12:51 am | #

          Curious that in the next strip, Joyce was very rude to Dorothy.

          • HueSatLight
            HueSatLight
            April 1, 2024 at 1:01 am | #

            yes, Joyce should have looked for drawing classes herself.
            Ideally, she is making up for it now, getting Dorothy to see things from that new angle. Start getting a healthier friendship.

            • Coatl
              Coatl
              April 1, 2024 at 1:27 am | #

              That’s what matters now. It’s good to see that at least you saw that Joyce has had her unpleasant moments too.

      • GholaHalleck
        GholaHalleck
        April 1, 2024 at 12:55 am | #

        Its fun when you realize that she’s basically had sexual attraction to every “Project person” so far.

        • HueSatLight
          HueSatLight
          April 1, 2024 at 1:05 am | #

          And they put her on a pedestal, indulging in her presidential delusions. She might have to get a new type.

  24. Ray
    Ray
    April 1, 2024 at 12:19 am | #

    Having that ‘PLEASE let this one turn out more funny than sad’ moment.

  25. Odo
    Odo
    April 1, 2024 at 12:22 am | #

    Anyone know what strip Joyce was quoting in panel 3? I will go back and try to find it, but there are a lot of comics at this point so it might take a while.

    I feel like it was either something Dorothy said in the past, or something Roz said while roasting Dorothy.

    • aelfwine
      aelfwine
      April 1, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

      Here: https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-9-comic/01-flyin-to-the-red/subterfuge/

    • thakoru
      thakoru
      April 1, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

      https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-9-comic/01-flyin-to-the-red/subterfuge/

      It was also the title of book 9.

      • thakoru
        thakoru
        April 1, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

        Beat to it by seconds.

  26. june gloom
    june gloom
    April 1, 2024 at 12:26 am | #

    It’s shit like this is why Joyce is my favorite character, and why I think she deserves better friends than the likes of Dorothy and Sarah. She should hang out with Sal more, Sal won’t bullshit her.

    • thakoru
      thakoru
      April 1, 2024 at 12:32 am | #

      I feel like half the appeal of Joyce’s character is specifically that she makes friends with people who aren’t exactly prime friend material.

      • Throwatron
        Throwatron
        April 1, 2024 at 1:09 am | #

        Well, yeah. She’s extremely Christlike. It’s why Christianity was, ultimately, not for her.

        • Holly
          Holly
          April 1, 2024 at 5:22 am | #

          Sent me off on a train of thought based on calling her Christlike when she’s a partial a self-insert from the author.

          Also amused me as an autistic woman with a lot of traits in common with Joyce to examine the idea that Christ could read as autistic. Strong sense of Justice, stubborn adherence to principals, non-compliance to more common social rules, hangs out with other ND people in found family, etc 😀 (not a serious claim, just interesting to contemplate)

          • Schpoonman
            Schpoonman
            April 1, 2024 at 10:59 am | #

            Yeah, there have been several kerfuffles here over comments to the effect of “Wow, the atheist is better at following religious tenets than the self-proclaimed believers.”

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      April 1, 2024 at 12:34 am | #

      Dorothy and Sarah of course made mistakes, but for that reason alone many assume that this is a “valid reason” to classify them as terrible friends and that Joyce is looking for “real friends”, that honestly doesn’t seem fair to me.

      • Throwatron
        Throwatron
        April 1, 2024 at 1:09 am | #

        Very rarely does a “bad friend” chaise an assailant with a baseball bat for you. I’m sure it comes up, because that’s behavior which would be somewhat more common among bad people. But, still!

        • Rabbit
          Rabbit
          April 1, 2024 at 2:19 am | #

          I mean, that’s a broad stroke to make. And I say that as someone who once had Sarah as one of my fave characters. She does grand gestures to protect. But is otherwise kind of genuinely awful.

          • june gloom
            june gloom
            April 1, 2024 at 4:16 am | #

            Yup, this. Her whole shtick is to swoop in in an crisis and Take Care of Everything, but when it comes to the day to day issues she kinda sucks at dealing with it yet blames others for her own inability to manage. She’s not that different from Jennifer in that regard.

            • Schpoonman
              Schpoonman
              April 1, 2024 at 10:56 am | #

              Let’s not forget the conversation Joyce and Sarah had where Joyce explicitly said “The little stuff matters, too.” And the little stuff does matter. I think Sarah does mean well deep in her core, she’s not evil or a villain, but “I do the big stuff and that makes me being mean about little stuff okay” smacks of and will always smack of an abusive relationship.

              • june gloom
                june gloom
                April 1, 2024 at 4:26 pm | #

                Yuuuuup.

            • HueSatLight
              HueSatLight
              April 1, 2024 at 5:11 pm | #

              little stuff, like waiting for her to walk to class together, even though they have classes in different buildings.

      • june gloom
        june gloom
        April 1, 2024 at 4:28 am | #

        I mean, people make bad-faith readings of Joyce all the time based on single strips, so let me dunk on Dorothy and Sarah based on (realtime) years of their condescending, even controlling behavior. It’s only fair, I think.

        This isn’t to say that they’re bad people, or even necessarily irredeemably bad friends, but they, like Jennifer, seem to think they’ve Totally Masterized Adulthood and are quite condescending to people they think are childlike, like Joyce and Dina. And I speak from experience when I talk about how damaging and insulting it is. I’ve had people treat me like a child my entire life — even romantic relationships. Some people will choose to remember only the version of you they had the most power over, no matter how long it’s been or how much you’ve changed.

        • anonymsly
          anonymsly
          April 1, 2024 at 7:35 am | #

          I agree, and for me at least the controlling/infantilizing behavior from these ‘I am better than you because X’ types is particularly galling when you realize that actually, Dina and Joyce have their stuff together better than most.

        • Coatl
          Coatl
          April 1, 2024 at 9:58 am | #

          Well, at least this is a constructive comment. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t hate Joyce, it’s just that some gave her an image of a “tragic figure who deserves the love of the universe, who should be tolerated for her mistakes against the evil world”, because of that detail, it made me It’s been difficult to take your progress seriously.

          Yes, I know that she is the main character, but I feel that she has been doing very well recently (too well) and I would love to see a conflict that actually manifests a negative aspect where they stop putting her as a character who “has learned everything.” ”
          and her facet is also judged.

          Now, regarding the others. Sarah has at least tried not to be harsh with her comments towards Joyce, with the rest she still expresses herself in a bad way, but it seems that even little by little she already wants to do things right.

          Jennifer has certain really positive details, but that damn, inflated ego makes many (myself included) see her in an unwelcome way. I assure you that if suddenly, I don’t know, she has financial problems and tries to seek help from Raidah , this one is going to leave her aside and pretend not to know her, that would be a reality check that could make her finally open her eyes.

          When it comes to judging the characters, Dorothy is the one who always points the finger most severely at, god, they already assumed that she would be responsible for ruining Joe and Joyce’s relationship, but she stopped herself and accepted it, In addition to the fact that she has taken more time to see her problems, some have already softened in how they have treated her and I dare say it, she seems that little by little she has already taken small steps, and although it is not so significant, at least Ruth, Walky and surprisingly Jennifer, have helped her a little, yes, Joyce can help, go ahead, let’s just hope that now finally Dorothy doesn’t have to be on top of everyone 24/7.

          All this is just my opinion, it’s just that I constantly noticed those details that I just wanted to express it.

  27. Armadillo
    Armadillo
    April 1, 2024 at 12:27 am | #

    So, I’m starting to realize that Dorothy’s attitude towards Joyce isn’t actually just condescending overprotection so much as it is genuine trauma from the original incident at the party.

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      April 1, 2024 at 12:31 am | #

      Well, the nightmare revealed that the kidnapping incident was the high point, but perhaps the party was just small indications that Dorothy wanted to “correct her mistake.”

    • brute
      brute
      April 1, 2024 at 12:33 am | #

      yes.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      April 1, 2024 at 12:38 am | #

      condescending overprotection is her trauma response.

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        April 1, 2024 at 1:32 am | #

        as well as her love language?

        • HueSatLight
          HueSatLight
          April 1, 2024 at 5:07 pm | #

          It is her version of hitting someone in the face with a pie.

          • David DeLaney
            David DeLaney
            April 1, 2024 at 7:46 pm | #

            you realize Carla just … knows
            when we’re talking about her

    • Throwatron
      Throwatron
      April 1, 2024 at 1:10 am | #

      If being completely oblivious to the extent of your trauma was a sport Dorothy would be going to the Olympics.

    • Alongcameaspider
      Alongcameaspider
      April 1, 2024 at 2:05 am | #

      It can be both of those things

    • Masumi
      Masumi
      April 1, 2024 at 2:41 am | #

      Oh, good point I hadn’t considered. She must be terrified of something bad happening again.

    • DashWallkick
      DashWallkick
      April 1, 2024 at 10:47 am | #

      Joyce is someone who Dorothy feels protective over, so whenever something bad happens it’s her “failure” that it did, and not the simple chaotic chance of existence.

      For what it’s worth, while I’m not a college student, my wife is autistic in similar ways to Joyce and over time I start to piece together that oh wow I am absolutely Dorothy aren’t I? It is not a fun place to be to think if you aren’t on your guard at all times then tragedy will strike. It makes you insane and burns you out.

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      April 1, 2024 at 11:40 am | #

      Oh RIGHT we had that whole dream sequence specifically about how Dorothy’s numerous compounding traumas are all centered on Joyce, huh. Honestly forgot about that, it’s been a hot minute.

  28. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    April 1, 2024 at 12:27 am | #

    Dumbing of Age Book 14: Change With Me, Dorothy!

  29. thakoru
    thakoru
    April 1, 2024 at 12:28 am | #

    Joyce, I’m pretty sure Joe would be down for an orgy if you asked. Or even just cool with you being in one if him being there would be weird for Dorothy. Point being, Joe just wants you to be happy and if that involves drunken group sex with his ex-bestie-in-law then so be it. As long as you ask first; cheating is bad.

    • Sajuuk-Khar
      Sajuuk-Khar
      April 1, 2024 at 12:35 am | #

      Hear hear!

    • GholaHalleck
      GholaHalleck
      April 1, 2024 at 12:58 am | #

      Honestly, I think New Joe would not be down for this. His whole deal before was trying to ham fist ethical non monogamy into some kind of 80’s movie ideal to cover his feelings of self hatred and fear of hurting people.

      • StClair
        StClair
        April 1, 2024 at 1:09 am | #

        ^ This.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        April 1, 2024 at 1:12 am | #

        I don’t even think Joe is horny for Joyce with the same part of his brain that he’s horny for everyone else. I think mixing them at this point would turbo charge his self=hatred.

      • Wereg
        Wereg
        April 1, 2024 at 1:29 am | #

        Yeah, Joe’s dealing with a massive amount of self-loathing related to his previous attitude and actions towards sex. I’m kinda weirded out that folks think he’d be down with Joyce asking him to take part in an orgy. Makes me wonder if we’re reading the same comic, or at least reading it the same way.

        • Taffy
          Taffy
          April 1, 2024 at 4:05 am | #

          Nobody thinks that, you’re making it up.

          • Wereg
            Wereg
            April 1, 2024 at 6:06 am | #

            I’m like 80% sure you’re being sarcastic but text makes tone hard to read

            • Yumi
              Yumi
              April 1, 2024 at 7:13 pm | #

              “Taffy” basically works as an implied /s tag for me at this point.

              • Wereg
                Wereg
                April 1, 2024 at 7:26 pm | #

                Yeah that’s probably the safest read.

      • Mturtle7
        Mturtle7
        April 1, 2024 at 11:42 am | #

        This is actually a really great way of summing up Joe’s whole deal prior to the List Incident.

    • Rowan
      Rowan
      April 1, 2024 at 1:00 am | #

      I think he might take an issue with it given they haven’t had sex yet themselves and an orgy would be a high intensity/demand way to have sex for the first time.

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      April 1, 2024 at 11:48 am | #

      Personally, I think Joe wouldn’t ACTUALLY be okay with it, deep down, but he’d still tell Joyce that he is. Partly because he’d be terrified of losing her if he said no, and partly because he’s only very recently admitted to himself that romance is something he wants at all, so it’ll take a lot more self-reflection before he’s willing to admit that he wants monogamous romance in particular.

  30. Pocky
    Pocky
    April 1, 2024 at 12:29 am | #

    I’m glad we cleared up what’s holding back the. . . uh, orgy prevention?

    • Sajuuk-Khar
      Sajuuk-Khar
      April 1, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

      There’s one factor that no one is talking about, which is “do we have enough mac and cheese for all the attendees?”

      • thakoru
        thakoru
        April 1, 2024 at 12:43 am | #

        I know practically speaking an orgy would generally have to have food present, but talking about food and sex in the same sentence makes my brain imagine them combined, and mac and cheese sex is a particularly unpleasant image.

  31. NGPZ
    NGPZ
    April 1, 2024 at 12:41 am | #

    RE: Last panel, sure, I believe you.

    (comment #69, count them if you also bored)

    • thakoru
      thakoru
      April 1, 2024 at 12:46 am | #

      Are you counting replies? Because those aren’t all ordered chronologically. Not counting them, you’re #32.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        April 1, 2024 at 12:56 am | #

        each comment has an id number, used for linking directly. You can copy the link for the OP comments from the # before Reply Report Comment. But even replies have an id. Yours is comment-1786313. NGPZ’s is comment-1786306, and Ana’s first comment is 1786238. 1786306-1786237 = 69

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          April 1, 2024 at 6:42 am | #

          Nice

  32. shrub
    shrub
    April 1, 2024 at 12:41 am | #

    It’s not safe for you might just be Dorothy talking about herself

  33. JR
    JR
    April 1, 2024 at 1:12 am | #

    Dorothy is infantilizing Joyce pretty hard, overstepping her bounds. Joyce isn’t any less safe experimenting with alcohol than any of their peers, especially not with trusted friends present. Jennifer was right; the roofie incident had nothing to do with alcohol.

    • Steelbright
      Steelbright
      April 1, 2024 at 1:17 am | #

      Yeah, i gotta agree here. Can’t say that Joyce jumping out to get drunk is the best idea but if she wants to, she can find ways to do it (relatively) safely. I can’t be too mad though because the rest of this is at it’s heart adorable…

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        April 1, 2024 at 6:41 am | #

        I think that was mostly just for baiting Dorothy. “WELP, I’m going to go do something reckless and stupid and there’s nothing you can do to stop me so byeee!”

        And it worked.

    • DashWallkick
      DashWallkick
      April 1, 2024 at 1:32 am | #

      Which is I think part of the point Joyce is making. Or at least where the storyline is going. Dorothy doesn’t need to control things. If Joyce thinks having a few drinks to blow off steam for Dorothy is going to help then that’s what she is going to do.

    • Bash
      Bash
      April 1, 2024 at 2:53 am | #

      That might have been Dorothy’s first real experience with alcohol, and the roofie incident must have been terrifying. I think it got mixed up in her head emotionally. I think this is more about Dorothy’s anxieties than anything else. She sees herself as the person that keeps everyone safe, and this is bringing up memories of a time that she couldn’t.

      • JR
        JR
        April 2, 2024 at 12:00 am | #

        Nah, she had wine with her parents in Paris and Jennifer-flask contents at Joyce’s party. She’s fine with alcohol for herself. For Joyce, she’s policing her alcohol the same way she was policing her sex life.

        • Bash
          Bash
          April 2, 2024 at 1:03 pm | #

          “Drinking a little wine with your parents” is not what I was going for. It was her first big college party where people were drinking without parental supervision, and something really bad almost happened. It would be stranger if she didn’t have anxiety about it.

          Drinking from Jennifer’s flask happened later, after an alcohol-free party was orchestrated specifically because of this incident. If Joyce had decided to drink too it probably wouldn’t have brought up the same fears, because they were with people they trusted. Dorothy might have been threatened by Joyce stepping out of her usual role, but that is different from the specific fear on display right now.

  34. David DeLaney
    David DeLaney
    April 1, 2024 at 1:23 am | #

    oh no Joyce has discovered she still has BOUNDARIES

  35. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    April 1, 2024 at 2:09 am | #

    C’mon Joyce, there’s also the college thing where you try to fit as many people as you can in a phone booth. Do that!

    … oh, wait, nm.

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      April 1, 2024 at 7:48 pm | #

      gee, Brain, where are we gonna find a phone booth
      at this time of the millennium

  36. AGV
    AGV
    April 1, 2024 at 2:54 am | #

    Strong “let’s take ibuprofen together” energy here

  37. Arianod
    Arianod
    April 1, 2024 at 3:06 am | #

    “It’s either this or banging”
    “:D”
    “And I’m with Joe”
    “:(“

  38. Taffy
    Taffy
    April 1, 2024 at 3:09 am | #

    This liberal SJW propaganda that women imbibe liquids

    • milu
      milu
      April 1, 2024 at 10:08 am | #

      woke ultraleft DEI liberal unamerican CRT pro-Hamas drivel if you ask me

  39. Just_IDD
    Just_IDD
    April 1, 2024 at 3:38 am | #

    I missed out on orgies? All I ever got to do is take arrested unconscious underage drunken students to the medical center.

    They started as semi coherent idiots who refused transport because they didn’t want their parents to find out. So Campus Security simply waited for them to pass out and arrested them for their own safety. That way if they woke bake up they couldn’t refuse.

  40. Opus the Poet
    Opus the Poet
    April 1, 2024 at 3:49 am | #

    That one speach bubble is a callback to an early book in the DoA series…

  41. Da Boy
    Da Boy
    April 1, 2024 at 4:10 am | #

    Is it just me or is Dotty pushing her trauma on Joyce? Because… alcohol is not dangerous to Joyce. It was the specific situation that was dangerous, not alcohol itself but Dotty is acting like Joyce drinking will immediately summon creeps.

    • DashWallkick
      DashWallkick
      April 1, 2024 at 10:44 am | #

      That’s how Joyce treated it, remember? People had pointed out alcohol had nothing to do with it but she was too traumatized and kept getting defensive when it was brought up. Joyce hasn’t imbibed because I think somewhere in her fundamentalist brain she still kind of associates her “sin” of partying the only way she knows how, but she’s far enough away from it now (and Ryan is probably going to jail, still in stitches, or both) that she can let it go for Dorothy.

      • Schpoonman
        Schpoonman
        April 1, 2024 at 10:49 am | #

        This has been a problem I’ve had with the time skip. I’m expecting change on the scale of the first two months of the last semester, and in some ways that has happened but in others characters are completely static in ways they shouldn’t be. It stands out even more in the way that they immediately begin changing once we returned to action. I don’t know, maybe it’s the soft character reset that’s throwing me.

        • DashWallkick
          DashWallkick
          April 1, 2024 at 1:36 pm | #

          I mean, this is Dorothy. She doesn’t like letting go. Joyce has thrived in the aftermath of Ryan getting the shit kicked out of him by Amber. I think it’s pretty fitting that Dorothy hasn’t changed and she needs to, and Joyce has evolved greatly to the point of leaving her behind a little.

          • Li
            Li
            April 2, 2024 at 11:37 am | #

            I’d like to point out that Dorothy was right there and watched the shit get kicked out of him, and was a little bit traumatized by it; in the immediate aftermath, Joyce thanked Amber for doing it, and Dorothy withdrew a bit from her.

      • Da Boy
        Da Boy
        April 1, 2024 at 11:02 am | #

        Ah that’s how it was, it was so long ago I forgot.

        • DashWallkick
          DashWallkick
          April 1, 2024 at 1:37 pm | #

          So much happens in this comic and it’s been like 15 years. I have the same issue but I also get high once in a while and re-read my favorite parts so it helps to remember.

  42. Amós Batista
    Amós Batista
    April 1, 2024 at 4:24 am | #

    Willis, please, I’m begging you, stop teasing us like that.

    • Woof McGee
      Woof McGee
      April 1, 2024 at 10:05 am | #

      I think that ship is dead and buried and every so often, the creator just likes to stroll by and tamp the dirt down a bit.

    • Mturtle7
      Mturtle7
      April 1, 2024 at 11:51 am | #

      Look, if people didn’t want to be teased like this, they wouldn’t have such hilarious reactions in the comics every time Dorothy and/or Joyce bring up anything sex- and/or romance-related!

      • Mturtle7
        Mturtle7
        April 1, 2024 at 11:51 am | #

        comments*

  43. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    April 1, 2024 at 4:44 am | #

    On one hand, Dorothy that’s incredibly patronising and it’s about time you realize it. On the other hand, Joyce what the fuck ?

  44. C.T. Phipps
    C.T. Phipps
    April 1, 2024 at 5:00 am | #

    I feel like Joyce’s experiences with college are once more being affected by the company she keeps.

    Because she knows there’s a polyamorous sexy times trio on her floor.

    So, of course, she thinks “orgies” are normal.

  45. Needfuldoer
    Needfuldoer
    April 1, 2024 at 6:38 am | #

    Hm. Sounds like a book title.

  46. CianM1301
    CianM1301
    April 1, 2024 at 7:46 am | #

    There’s more to college life than binge drinking and sex parties, Joyce.

    There’s also weed. And DnD.

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      April 1, 2024 at 7:50 pm | #

      … orgies can contain all of these components
      i mean, we can _probably_ ask Joe about it

  47. WolfPerson
    WolfPerson
    April 1, 2024 at 8:40 am | #

    The mention of “Monogamous” makes me wonder if Joyce might end up in a polyamorous relationship with Joe and Dorothy. It’s not likely, I know, but it could happen.

    • Kazuma Taichi
      Kazuma Taichi
      April 1, 2024 at 12:07 pm | #

      oh I absolutely agree
      I don’t know if Dorothy will be involved, but I’m calling it now that this is foreshadowing that Joyce is gonna end up as polyamorous

      (if I’m wrong, meh, but if I’m right it’s going to be so nice to get new poly rep ♡)

      • David DeLaney
        David DeLaney
        April 1, 2024 at 7:51 pm | #

        poly-woly-doodle all the day!

        –Dave, USING those braincells that have been sitting there untouched for half a century

  48. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    April 1, 2024 at 10:43 am | #

    Like most things I’ve got issues with, also religion and the Beatles, I wouldn’t find Joyothy-baiting nearly as funny if people weren’t insufferable about it in the first place.

  49. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    April 1, 2024 at 10:45 am | #

    BohNo, how do you feel about being gifted/cursed with the curse/gift of prophecy?

  50. Makkabee
    Makkabee
    April 1, 2024 at 10:58 am | #

    Meanwhile, in the Slipshine alternate universe…

  51. thumb
    thumb
    April 1, 2024 at 11:23 am | #

    Pff, you say you’d do anything for her, but then also turn down the orgy?

    • LeafletErin
      LeafletErin
      April 1, 2024 at 2:36 pm | #

      For her. Not to her. A very important distinction I think, lol.

  52. Jdorr
    Jdorr
    April 1, 2024 at 12:35 pm | #

    She reminded Dorothy’s words. That’s so sweet

  53. Suet
    Suet
    April 1, 2024 at 1:14 pm | #

    Ah, but the mild subversion back then was trying to slip past Ruth.

    This will be a wild subversion. What’s the plan, anyway?

  54. Some Guy
    Some Guy
    April 1, 2024 at 1:36 pm | #

    Joyce had that one awful, terrifying experience and the only appropriate reaction is to NEVER DRINK AGAIN (-ain, -ain, -ain…)? How does that track?

    • Jeremiah
      Jeremiah
      April 1, 2024 at 4:17 pm | #

      It is a pretty common and normal trauma reaction for things associated with that trauma to become triggers, making you unable to participate on them without emotional distress. Just because it doesn’t seem to be the case for Joyce doesn’t mean it’s not a logical conclusion to make.

    • Lexi
      Lexi
      April 1, 2024 at 8:54 pm | #

      I’m with you. One traumatic experience does not mean all alcohol forever is scary, and if someone is like “Hey! I’m gonna go do this thing I found traumatic, come make a bad decision with me!” you don’t run all over it “BUT JOYCE, YOU HAVE TRAUMA!!”

      No! You sit down with them, go “This is a terrible idea” and you do that terrible idea together, laugh, and make it less traumatic.

      • Bash
        Bash
        April 2, 2024 at 12:55 pm | #

        Dorothy clearly has trauma about it too. She stopped watching Joyce for a few minutes and something REALLY BAD almost happened. Of course that’s terrifying.

  55. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    April 1, 2024 at 4:45 pm | #

    Joyce is an amazing friend. Dorothy really needs to follow her for once and see what weird adventure they will have. I still think the possibility of Dorothy getting drunk and confessing her love for her to Joyce is a big possibility.

    • David DeLaney
      David DeLaney
      April 1, 2024 at 7:52 pm | #

      as the panel frames start slowly distorting as they race down the hall

      –Dave, *Little Nemo intensifies*

  56. Stephen Nedland
    Stephen Nedland
    April 1, 2024 at 8:53 pm | #

    I’m fairly certain that if Joyce asked, Joe would down for an orgy, but only if she was, of course.

So...

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  • Polls Archive
CONVENTION APPEARANCES


September 13/14, 2025 - Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland

David M Willis! avatar
David M Willis!
@damnyouwillis.bsky.social
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1h
never in a million years thought i'd have to convince anybody JOYCE was queer always thought dorothy was the harder sell
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impossiblephd.bsky.social's user avatar
Doc Impossible @impossiblephd.bsky.social ⋅ 5h
That one Real Life Comic strip Tha cracked a million eggs.
Further on in the RLC comics run, where Mae says that the stuff she liked that she thought made her a man is just stuff, and that it doesn't mean anything.
mel.bzky.team's user avatarmel! @mel.bzky.team ⋅ 5m
TRANS WOMEN OF BLUESKY: What was your egg cracking moment? When did you know you were trans? What made you realize? And did you know you were a woman right away, or did you pass through other identities first
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 14h
Dumbing of Age: "Detouring" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
Detouring
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8
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 15h
wilding out at this old becky profile
11
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Linkara @linkara.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Also, I see we're bringing back the ol' love octagon.
Several panels from the webcomic Shortpacked! depicting the character Robin Desanto unveiling a chalkboard that shows various characters in the webcomics' romantic relationship statuses to each other, the equivalent of a
5
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John Berry @drawncoyote.bsky.social ⋅ 20h
It worked! Thanks, Joe! Also, sorry, Joe.
Joe:
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 21h
I think you mean Poop. Prints don't drop from the butt.
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Dan Schkade @danschkade.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Happy Nonbinary People's Day, you gemstones. A year or two back we introduced FLASH GORDON's first enby, the outlaw lawman Bones Malock. Having known and loved a lot of nonbinary people, I knew the truest way to represent you was as a unsettling desert pirate with a lightning sword
Flash Gordon's Bones Malock:
Bones Malock, under captions reading:
Bones Malock and Flash Gordon.

Flash: Okay... wait thirty seconds, then give me a distraction.

Bones: Got just the thing.

Flash: Do NOT blow the place up.

Bones: You're the boss.
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Hannah Who @notablyuncool.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Happy International Non-Binary People's Day to all those who work, create, parent, protest, love and live without ever fitting into someone else's category.
header image - a yellow purple and black flag flies in the wind
media.tenor.com
a yellow purple and black flag flies in the wind
Alt: Non-binary flag blowing in the wind
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Haus of Decline @hausofdecline.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
A blond female Philly Phanatic says
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Bits @bitshammer.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Mood
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Jacob @jacobaugust.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Nice.
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DaisyFM ✒︎ @daisyfm.net ⋅ 2d
Okay, everyone's jumping to conclusions, but Joyce was hit with a mysterious pink gas in Thursday's strip. Now, in recent years, the police are known to increasingly use military grade weapons. Which reminded me of this bit of proposed technology from the 1990s: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_bomb
en.wikipedia.org
Gay bomb - Wikipedia
4
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
I ain't readin' all that!
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatarDavid M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Dumbing of Age: "LIVE JOCELYNE REACTION" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
LIVE JOCELYNE REACTION
that's not the end!  there's more tomorrow, already on patreon!...
12
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Dumbing of Age: "LIVE JOCELYNE REACTION" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
LIVE JOCELYNE REACTION
that's not the end!  there's more tomorrow, already on patreon!...
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Jay Edidin @edidin.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
hey, kid, what do you want to play with from the cool superhero movie? is it a nude, melting senator who feels like a stretch armstrong doll that has been left out in the son and maybe mildly chewed by a neighborhood dog? WELL, SON, YOU'RE IN LUCK!
the most upsetting toy of all time: a small and horrible statue of melting, nude Senator Kelly from the first x-men film
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Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
James Gunn i demand u bring back Conservative Superman
Superman shaking Jared Fogle’s hand
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
(July 10, 2026)
Sal and Danny saw you from across the room and enjoy your vibe.
6
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
trying to voice recognition a search for superman's actor
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Drivaaar @drivaaar.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
I want YOU to transform Autobot City (with generous green spaces, affordable public transport and amenities, and plentiful social initiatives)
4
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
welp back to drawing comics featuring a character you can't see yet for like 11 months
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Paul Bassett Davies @thewritertype.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Then they came for the sarcastic people and I was like oh great that's exactly what we need right now well done to all concerned.
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Cass 🪻 @cassmoney.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
Comic of a man peering through a window.
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatarDavid M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
Dumbing of Age: "Can’t leave you if I stay" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
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Can’t leave you if I stay
jesus christ tomorrow's strip early on patreon oh my god...
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The Nerdy Lawyer @nerdylawyer.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Dorothy: You can't just follow me into fire! Joyce: You don't want me following you into fire? Then don't run into fire!
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
today in #9chickweedlane i learned i apparently gotta go see if "correlate" has an archaic definition that means something nonsense
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Virginia Barksdale @virginiabarksdale.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
screaming, crying, throwing up, Pete the Peacock is real, I feel lesbian God in this chili's tonight
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatarDavid M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
Dumbing of Age: "Can’t leave you if I stay" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
Can’t leave you if I stay
jesus christ tomorrow's strip early on patreon oh my god...
2
35
 
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
Dumbing of Age: "Can’t leave you if I stay" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
Can’t leave you if I stay
jesus christ tomorrow's strip early on patreon oh my god...
12
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RiotGrlErin @riotgrlerin.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
pam bondi as porta potties: thread
Pam bondi and he side profile wearing a dark yellow coat.
A yellow porta potty probably less shitty than Pam.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
header image - a man in a blue plaid shirt sits next to another man in a gray jacket
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ALT: a man in a blue plaid shirt sits next to another man in a gray jacket
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Brigid Keely She/Her @brigid.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
Joyce is absolutely totally straight and just wants to hang out with her best friend, who happens to be another lady. This is normal behavior and a normal biblical quote to use that has no other context. GAL PALS
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatarDavid M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 3d
joyce walks down an aisle
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